Once seen as a niche practice, the craft of weathering has now become firmly rooted in the railway modelling mainstream. Not simply a means of rendering models in layers of dirty paint, weathering involves a myriad of techniques aimed at improving realism, including distinctive surface textures, highlights and shading, burnishing and peeling paint finishes. The weathering process brings out the best in a model, making moulded relief or a lustrous livery really stand out. As well as replicating the real world more closely, weathering also helps a model to look at home within a scenic setting. Aimed at modellers of all abilities and eras, this book is an essential guide to creating the most realistic locomotives and rolling stock in any scale. It includes: a guide to tools, paints, washes, dry pigments and other innovative media; the correct techniques for model preparation; a wide range of techniques for wagons, carriages, locomotives and multiple units in any scale; how to replicate authentic surface textures and effects, from polished surfaces to corroded metal and worn timber; how to bring models to life with faded paintwork, peeling and chipped finishes and subtle highlights and shading; the secret to successful airbrushing. This book will be of great interest to railway modellers of varying abilities, particularly those interested in rolling stock and locomotives, and is fully illustrated with 660 colour photographs.

Most modellers, regardless of what scale they work in, rely heavily on the humble plastic or metal kit, and this book will help both novice and more experienced modellers to achieve the very best results. George Dent presents here a clearly written foundation course in constructing rolling stock from kits. Examines tools, glues and materials; Describes how to successfully construct a chassis for wagons and carriages; Covers work in plastic, resin, white metal and brass; Presents an essential in-depth guide to soldering; Considers detailing, modifying and scratch-building; Discusses painting, transfers and weathering. A comprehensive guide to constructing rolling stock from kits, aimed at railway modellers of all abilities - it helps the modeller to achieve the best results form every kit. Volume one outlines all the necessary foundations and techniques relating to the construction, painting, detailing and finishing of rolling stock kits. Superbly and extensively illustrated with 591 colour photographs. George Dent is a highly respected model-maker and author.

The airbrush is an essential tool for modelers striving for professional-looking results. It can greatly enhance the quality of your modeling output, whether applying a full livery scheme or simply blending in areas of new paintwork. A good airbrush will offer unparalleled levels of finish and consistency, as well as the chance to create unique effects such as weathering and stenciling. This book reveals how anyone can use an airbrush effectively, provided that a few basic rules are followed. All of the necessary techniques are described, along with a wealth of practical guidance and detailed advice on choosing a spraying set-up to match your own needs and budget.

Building Coaches is a beautifully illustrated and practical book and provides important advice and covers a wide variety of materials and processes. It tells you everything you need to know about building model railway coaches. Master modeller, George Dent, guides the reader through the necessary techniques and skills. All aspects of the subject are covered from kit building in metal, plastic, resin and wood; soldering, weathering, painting and lining; 3-D printed kits and components; adding passengers to the carriages; upgrading off-the-shelf models; kit assembly, scratch-building and finishing.

The 00 gauge ready-to-run market has changed dramatically over the past decade, with supreme levels of accuracy, detail, finish and mechanical performance now becoming the standard benchmark of all new models. As the hobby continues to blossom, an increasing range of steam, diesel and electric subjects now find themselves in the catalogs of the leading manufacturers. Have the days of super-detailing and repainting our models now gone, or is there still a place for a more 'hands-on' approach to the hobby of railway modeling? Professional model-maker George Dent suggests that even these state of the art models can be improved and offers a plethora of ideas and projects to produce some unique and highly detailed miniature locomotives. The book covers prototypes from the beginnings of British Rail's Modernization Plan up to the present privatized scene and aims to cater for all skill levels.

During the twenty years in which Britain's nationalized railway operated mainline steam locomotives, a vast array of individual designs complemented the British Railways 'Standard' machines, built up to 1960. Such was the variety of motive power to be seen on the network that this 'early' period of BR's existence has proved to be the most enduring amongst enthusiasts and modelers. The ready-to-run market has reflected this popularity in terms of models and liveries available off-the-shelf. Despite constantly rising levels of detail, finish and performance, r-t-r models can never cater for every variation in components, equipment or livery that invariably arose within large and long-lived fleets. Nor can they offer particular running numbers and names to satisfy every customer, while older products may also require work to bring them up to the standard of contemporary offerings. Therefore, being able to change factory-applied decals, add period or individual locomotive-specific details, modify a livery or create an authentic weathered finish can prove vital to achieving a heightened sense of realism and individuality within our traction fleets.

The newest addition to the hugely successful 'Aspects of Modelling' series provides readers with comprehensive guide into weathering locomotives and rolling stock. Historically, most proprietary model railway equipment was produced in a pristine condition; however, the reality of the railway industry, particularly in the age of steam, was that the external condition of most locomotives and rolling stock quickly deteriorated as operation and weather took their toll. More proficient modellers, in particular those that scratch-built or kit-built locomotives and rolling stock, took the opportunity of trying to recreate the authentic operational condition of locomotives and rolling stock by the judicious 'weathering' of the final finish. More recently, the mainstream manufacturers have gone a stage further and now produce locomotives that appear to have been weathered. Of all the skills associated with railway modelling that of weathering of locomotives and rolling stock is perhaps one of the most difficult. It is very easy to spoil an otherwise beautiful model by the careless application of weathering but, as more and more modellers seek to create an ever more authentic feel for their layouts, so information on the best methods of weathering becomes all the more important. This informative new volume provides the modeller with a guide to the principles and practice of weathering locomotives in particular, providing modellers of all levels and abilities with a step by step guide to the skills involved and the pros and cons of undertaking such work on models. Following the same format as the rest of the 'Aspects of Modelling' series, the book includes instructive text alongside over a hundred mono and colour illustrations.